'Better burger' chains beef up

CaptionSmashburger

Smashburger

As far as nationwide chains go, Denver-based Smashburger is on the smaller side, with fewer than 200 locations, including one in the Los Angeles area. But the company -- which is less than 5 years old -- was named by Forbes last year as the most promising company in America. The burgers start...

As far as nationwide chains go, Denver-based Smashburger is on the smaller side, with fewer than 200 locations, including one in the Los Angeles area. But the company -- which is less than 5 years old -- was named by Forbes last year as the most promising company in America. The burgers start... (Smashburger)

This Southern California staple inspires intense, almost-cultish loyalty, which last year compelled one company to offer to ship In-N-Out burgers to the East Coast for more than $50 a pop. A basic hamburger costs about $2. The Irvine-based chain has been around since 1948, making it one of the...

This Southern California staple inspires intense, almost-cultish loyalty, which last year compelled one company to offer to ship In-N-Out burgers to the East Coast for more than $50 a pop. A basic hamburger costs about $2. The Irvine-based chain has been around since 1948, making it one of the... (Susan Goldman / Bloomberg News.)

For a while, this Lorton, Va.-based chain was expanding so fast, it was opening five stores a week. Since launching in 1986, Five Guys has grown to more than 1,000 locations, largely on the strength of word of mouth. The company doesn't freeze any of its food, doesn't operate drive-thrus and is...

For a while, this Lorton, Va.-based chain was expanding so fast, it was opening five stores a week. Since launching in 1986, Five Guys has grown to more than 1,000 locations, largely on the strength of word of mouth. The company doesn't freeze any of its food, doesn't operate drive-thrus and is... (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

This young Los Angeles chain isn't a true fast casual chain, with its servers and sit-down set-up. But many of its qualities -- the hand-formed patties, the localization of its menus, its wine and beer list, its buzziness -- put it squarely in the better-burger category. The company has 10...

This young Los Angeles chain isn't a true fast casual chain, with its servers and sit-down set-up. But many of its qualities -- the hand-formed patties, the localization of its menus, its wine and beer list, its buzziness -- put it squarely in the better-burger category. The company has 10... (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

This Culver City-based chain is all about customization. Customers are given a clipboard with a list of ingredients -- including turkey, Danish blue cheese, grilled pineapple and tzatziki sauce -- and asked to build their own gourmet burger. More than 312,000 combinations are possible and can...

This Culver City-based chain is all about customization. Customers are given a clipboard with a list of ingredients -- including turkey, Danish blue cheese, grilled pineapple and tzatziki sauce -- and asked to build their own gourmet burger. More than 312,000 combinations are possible and can... (The Counter)

Burger chains are the biggest business in the restaurant industry, pulling in $69 billion in sales each year. Nearly nine in 10 consumers say they grab burgers away from home at least once a month. Half of that business goes to McDonald's -- the behemoth that in recent years has upgraded its...Tiffany Hsu